Balinese Room, Galveston Landmark, Destroyed

GALVESTON, Texas -- A legendary Galveston nightclub and former dance hall that jetted out above the Gulf of Mexico was destroyed by the massive storm surge of Hurricane Ike, KPRC Local 2 reported Saturday.

The Balinese Room, located at 2108 Seawall Blvd., was ripped apart when Ike came ashore.

The decades-old Balinese Room was a famous, recognizable landmark that extended 600 feet from Seawall Boulevard at 21st Street into the Gulf of Mexico.

The Balinese Room, once a dance hall and legal gambling facility, featured legendary entertainers such as Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Jack Benny and many stars from the '40s and '50s.

The structure had previously survived two other devastating storms -- Hurricane Carla in 1961 and Hurricane Alicia in 1983.

Neighboring structures, including a souvenir shop and Hooter's, were also destroyed.

The Flagship Hotel sustained major damage. The only access to the hotel, a ramp over the Gulf, was destroyed and a corner of a hotel wall was sheered off.

Hotel employees were inside the building at the time and could not get back on the island. But officials said no one was injured.